Fluid-cut-off mechanism



April 13 1926. 1,580,277 1 c. T. BARD FLUID CUT-OFF MECHANISM Filed June 25, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 WITNESSES I lNVENTzRd f Char/ea Tlerfia ATTORNEYS April 13, 1926. 1,580,277 M c. T. BARD FLUID GUT-OFF MECHANISM Filed June 25, 1925 v [Sheets-sheet 2 @ZZZ'J WITNESSES I N I INVENTOR C'barles Z ler' 15a Q EXAM 4 ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 13, 1926. I

and State of Connecticut,

CHARLES TYLER BARD, OFNORWICH, CONNECTICUT;

A riiuin-our-orr ivrnonnmsivr.

" Applicationfiledjune 25, 1925;

To all to ham it may concern Be it known citizen of the United of Norwich, in

I, CHARLES T. BARD, a States, and resident the county of New London have invented that certain new and useful Improvements in Fluid-.Cut-Ofl Mechanism,

of which the following is a specification. 7

My invention relates to improvements in chanisms, and it consists in the combinations, constructions and arrangements herein de An object of sion-of a fluid adapted to act' flow of gas or other scribed and claimed.

the invention is the provicut-ofl mechanism which is automatically to cut oil the fluid through a conduit when an abnormally high temperature has been reached in anisin is disposed, as in the case of flre, mechanism also ated manually who is located the mechthe being adapted to be actuwhen desired by a person at a considerable distance the place in Which from the cut-ofl mechanism to effect the shutting ofl of through the conduit flow of. gas or other fluid which is equipped with the improved cut-oi? mechanism.

Another obJect of the invention is the provision of .a cut-oil mechanism or the character described having a member for cutting oit flow through a conduit completely housed within normally out 0 any way retard gether with operating means a portion of the conduit and f position to prevent or in flow through the conduit tooutside ot'the conduit and operable to cause movement of the fluid cut-ofl' member from inoperative position to position to effectually close the conduit against through.

the passage of fluid there- A further object of the invention is the provision of a fluid cut-off mechanism of the character described which can: be reset quickly, easily be ineffective and conveniently to again to prevent flow of fluid through the conduit with which the mechanism is associated, after the fluid cut-off mechanism has been actuated to cause movement of the on revent flow of t-ofl member to position to fluid through the conduit.

A still further object of the invention is the provision o Serial at. 39,578.

of the character described which can be manufactured and installed at a relatively low cost, is not likely to get out of order Figure 1 is a side'elevation of a fragmentary portion of a conduitfor fluid equipped with a fluid cut-ofl mechanism embodying the invention, showing the position of the parts of the operating means of the device when a movable actuating member ofthe operating means is in set position,

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, showing the position of the movable actuating member of the operating means of the device when said actuating member has reached the end of its operating stroke after having been released as a result of manual actuation of the operating means,

Figure 3 isa section substantiallyalong the line 33 of Figure 1,

through the portion of the conduit which is exhibited in Figure 1, showing the fluid cutofl". member or valve supported in inoperative position or away from its seat, and

Figure 5 is a view similar to F gure 4,

showing the fluid cut-ofl member or valve inoperative position oriii other words in position on its seat to] prevent flow through the conduit, the movable actuating member of the operating means of the device being 7 shown at the end of its operating stroke after it has been released as a result of the operating means of the devicehaving been heated to an abnormal degree.

A fragmentary portion of'a conduit for fluid which may be equipped with the inventionis shown in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5 of the drawing and may include vertically spaced axially aligned tubular sections or lengths of pipe 1. and 2 respectively as shown in Figures 1, 4t and 5. A pipe union generally indicated at '3 comprises a coupling member 4: having the lower end portion thereof in threaded engagement, as at 5, with the upper end portion of the tubular other words, the fitting 16 may therefore is shown as enla g1 section 2 of the conduit. The upper end portion of the coupling member 4 is designated 6 and is enlarged externally, thus producing a downwardly facing shoulder at 7. The upper face of the enlarged upper end portion 6 of the coupling member 4 is convexly curved and is adapted to contact closely with a concavely curved seat 8 in the internally enlarged lower end portion 9 of a tubular coupling member 16 which also is comprised in the union, the conyexly curved contact surface of the coupling member l being ground in its seat 8 to assure a fluid tight fit between the coupling members 1- and 10 when the contact surface of the coupling member l is held against its seat. This can be accomplished by means of a coupling nut 11 which is comprised in the union and which includes an upper end portion in threaded engagement at 12 with the coupling member 10 and having an inwardly extending flange at its lower end in engagement with the shoulder '7 of the coupling mem her 4;. p

A nipple 13 has the lower end portion thereof in threaded engagement at 14; with the upper end portion of the coupling mem ber 10 while the upper end portion of the nipple is in threaded engagement at 15 with the lower end portion of a pipe fitting 16 having a lateral tubular branch 17 and also having an upper end portion in threaded engagementat 18 with the lower end portion of the tubular section 1 of the conduit. In

be an ordinary T.

The upper end portion 6 of the lower coupling member 4 ot the union also is enlarged internally and the bore thereof is enlarged slightly a: aeent to its upper end, as indi cated at 19. lhis enlarged upper end portion 19 of th bore of the coupling member l has the wall thereof curved concavely longit-udin v thereof to conform to the curvature or ball-valve 20. The ball-valve 2O normally is retained in an outwardly enlargingv caa 'itv or pocicet 21 in a plug 22 which is threaded intothe lateral branch 17 of the fitting 16. The plug 22 is shown tapering externally toward its inner end and the inner wall of the lateral branch 17 7 g toward its outer end although it is obvious that the outer wall of the plug may be uniform in diameter and the bore of the lateral branch 17 likewise uniform in dumeterfas in the case of a stardard pipe T, only the pocket within the plug being enlarged toward its outer end.

The operating means that the invention provides includes an inclined supporting bar 23 having the lower end portion thereof cured between extending end portions of the cooperative members 24 of a clamp which embraces the nipple 13 and is held against displacement from a desirable position on the nipple 13 by means of fastening devices, such as the screws 25 which connect corresponding end portions of the clamp memers 2%. One of the clamp members 24 is provided with an inclined channel 26 in its inner face into which a side portion of the bar 23 extends when the lower end portion of the bar 23 is secured between adjacent end portions of the clamp member 24:, as when the screws 25 are tightened, one of the screws preferably extending through an opening in the lower end portion of the supporting bar 23. The supporting bar 23 is adapted to be held substantially rigid with the clamp members 2-l.

4 in actuating member in the operating means has the form of a block 27 of considerable weight. This block slidable on the inclined supporting bar23 and is adapted to strike the outer end of the plug 22 when the block 2. slides down the bar 23 from the position shown in Figures 1 and 4 to the position shown in Figs. 2 and member which is comprised This block or striker normally is retained on the bar 23 adjacent to the upper end of the latter by means of a linl: 28 having an attaching member 29 at its lower end engaged with a transverse opening or eye 30 in an extending upper end portion of the block 2'? and having'an attaching element 31 at its upper end adapted to he slipped over the end of the bill of the hook The attachin elements 29 and 31 of the link 28 are connected by fusible member 33. The hook 32 is sup ported on a horizontal pivot element 3% which extends laterally of the upper end portion of the supporting bar 23 and has an integral handle 35. A pull rod or cable 86 is connected to the outer end of the handle 35 and mav lead to any desirable place.

From the foregoing description of the various parts of the device, the operation thereof n'iay be readily understood. Normally. the ball valve 20 will be supported within the pocket 21 out of position to re tard or prevent flow of fluid through the conduit which is equipped with the inven tion. The actuating member 2? normally is maintained adjacent to the upper end of the inclined supporting bar 23 by means of the link 28 and the hook 32., it being note that the form of the hook such that it may be disposed substantially in line with the link 28 without the attaching element 31 slipping the end of the bill of the hook. in the event that fire should occur in proximity to the link 28. fusion of the member 33 of the link will take place when that men'rber has been unduly heated. and the actuating member 27 will slide by gravity downward on the support ng bar 23 and will strike the outer e nd of the plug 22. The impact of the strilier meinber 27 against the plug 122 will jar the ball'valve I described.

20 from position in the pocket 21 and the ball valve will fall by gravity through the nipple 13 onto its seat 19, thus cutting on flow of fluid in a downward direction in the conduit past the union 3. In order to reset the device, it only is necessary to disconnect the coupling members of the union 8 from each other and to pull the pipes '1 and 2 apart a distance sufiicient to spread the coupling inemloers 4: valve 20 then can be removed vfrom the seat 19. Of course, it will be understood that the usual service cock, not shown, which in actual practice will be provided in the conduit above the T 16 will be closed before the coupling members of the union are disconnected. The plug 22 then is removed and the ball valve is placed in the pocket in the plug and the plug is replaced in the lateral branch of the T. Thecoupling members of the union are connected to each other in the usual manner and the slidable 27 is returned to position striker member 7 28 adjacent to the on the supporting bar upper end of the latter and is retained in position by means of a new link 28. In the event that it is desired to operate the device manually, a pull in a generally upward direction is exerted on the handle 35 for the hook 32 and the swing to position to release the link 28. v The striker member 27 will slide by gravity bar 23 'andthe impact will cause the ball from the pocket in the plug and to fall to position to cooperate with the seat 19 to close the conduit in the manner hereinbefore It will be understood that theparts oi the conduit'may vary considerably in details of construction from those exhibited in the drawings without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and that the parts of the device may be: made of any suitable material or materials. It also is obvious that many modifications and adaptations of the form of the device illustrated in the drawing and described in the specification may be provided without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and I therefore consider as my own all such modifications and adaptations thereof as fairly fall within t 1e scope of'thc appended claims. V

I claim 1. A fluid cut-oil mechanism comprising a tubular conduit including a pipe union having a valve seat, a valve adapted to cooperate with said seat to-close said conduit. and means for releasably holdingsaid valve away from its seat and for permitting movement of said valve toposition on its seat when said valve supporting means has position on and 10 so that the ball ,clos'e said conduit,

.ing means sociated with said conduit and operable to therebyto jar said 1 valve from said valve supportingmeans to.

latter then will duit, said means for striker seat and in positlon valve adaptedto cooperate with said seat to close said conduit, means for releasably holding said valveaway from its seat and tor permitting movement of said valve to its seat when said valve holding means has been actuated, means as sociated with said conduit and operable to I strike said conduit and thereby to jar said valvefrom said valve supporting means to position on said valve seat. Y

I 3. A fluid cut-off mechanism comprising a tubular conduit having a valve seat, a valve adapted to cooperate with-said seat to means for releasably iolding said valve away from its seat and for permitting movement otsaid valve to its seat when said valve hold-- 1 position on has been actuated, means asstrike said conduit and position on said valve seat, means for releasably holding said striker means away from said conduit, said means for holdin the striker means including a fusible ele ment. I

4. A fluid cut-oftmechanism"comprising,

a tubular conduit having a valve seat, {a valve adapted to cooperate with saidseat to close said conduit, means for releasably holding said valve away from its seat am for permitting movement of said valve. to position on its seat when said valve holding means has been actuated, means associated with said conduit and operable to strike said conduit and thereby to jar saidvalve from said valve supporting means to position on said valve seat, means for releasably holding said striker means away holding said striker means away from said conduit being adapted to be actuated manually means. a

5. A fluid cut-01f mechanism comprising a tubular conduit having an internal valve seat, a Valve disposed completely in the.

conduit and movable'in the conduit to and from position 'to-cooperate with saidvalve seat to close said conduit, means for releasably holding said valve away from its valve for movement to position against said position to cooperate with said valve seat to 7 from said conto move when released 7 against itsseat, said valve holding means being adapted to be actuated as'the result of a. blow delivered thereagainst to release said to release said close said conduit, means for rel-easably holding said valve away from its seat and in position to move when released against its seat, said valve holding means being adapted to be actuated as the result of a blow delivered thereagainst to release said valve for movement to position against said valve seat, and a striker member supported adjacent to said conduit for movement to and from posi tion to deliver said blow to said conduit.

7. A fluid cut-ofii' mechanism comprising a tubular conduit having an internal valve seat, a valve disposed completely in the conduit and movable in the conduit to and from position to'cooperate with said valve seat to close said conduit, means for releasably holding said valve away from its seat and in position to move when released against its seat, said valve holding means being adapted to be actuated as the result of a blow delivered thereagainst to release said valve for movement to position against said valve seat, a striker member supported adjacent to said conduit for movement to and from position to deliver said blow to said conduit, and means releasably holding saic striker memher away from said conduit, said striker member holding means comprising a pivoted hook and a link attached to said striker member and engageable with said hook, said link including a fusible section intermediate the ends thereof.

8. A fluid eut-oii mechanism comprising a vertically disposed tubular conduit, said conduit including a union consisting of a pair of cooperative coupling members having the contacting surfaces thereof ground to closely contact each other and a coupling nut connecting the coupling members and holding the contact surfaces of the coupling members against each other, the lower of said coupling members being to'med internally to provide a seat for a ball valveat the upper end of said lower coupling member, said eonduit including a tubular fitting located above the level of said union and having a lateral branch, a ball valve adapted to move in said conduit from the-level of said lateral branch to position to cooperate'with said valve seat to close said conduit, and means closing said lateral branch 0t said tubu ar fitting and having a pocket formed therein for loosel holding said ball valve out of the main passage of said conduit, and above the level of said valve seat.

9. A fluid cut-off mechanism comprising a vertically disposed tubular conduit, said conduit including a union consisting of a pair or cooperative coupling members having the contacting surfaces thereof ground to close ly contact each other and a coupling nut connecting the coupling members and holding the contact surfaces of the coupling members against each other, the lower of said coupling members being formed' internally to main passage provide a seat for a ball valve at the upperend of said lower coupling member, said conduit including a tubular fitting located above the level oi said union and having a lateral branch, a ball valve adapted to move in said conduit from the level of said latera branch to position to cooperate with said valve seat to close said conduit, and a removable plug for closing said lateral branch of the tubular fitting, said plug having a pocket in its inner end for loosely receiving said ball valve to hold said ball valve out of the main passage of the conduit and above the level of said valve seat, the bottom wall of said pocket in the plug being inclined downwardly toward its outer end.

10. A iiuid cut-oti' mechanism comprising a vertically disposed tubular conduit, said conduit including a union consisting of a pair of cooperative couplin members haw ing the contacting surf-aces thereof ground to closely contact each other and a coupling nut connecting the coupling members and hold ing the contact surfaces of the coupling members against each other, the lower of said coupling members being formed internally to provide a seat for a ball valve at the upper end of said lower coupling member, said conduit including a tubular fitting located above the level or said union and having a lateral branch, a ball valve adapted to move in said conduit from the level of said lateral )ranch to position to cooperate with suit. valve seat to close said conduit, and a movable plug for closing said lateral branch of the tubular fitting, said plug having a pocket in its inner end for loosely receiving said ball valve to hold said ball valve out of the main passage of the conduit and above the level of said valve seat, a suppor ing bar, means releasably engageable with said conduit below said tubular fitting for supporting said supporting bar in inclined position with the lower end thereof adjacent to the outer end of said plug, a striker member slidable on said supporting bar from a higher level to position to strike the outer end of said plug and thereby to jar said ball alve from the pocket in said plug into the of the conduit. i

11. A fluid cut-oii' mechanism comprisin a vertically disposed tubu ar conduit, 5: i conduit including a union co ti of a pair of cooperative coupling me haw ing the contacting surfaces thereo'i ground to closely contact each other and a coupling nut connecting the coupling members i holding the contact surfaces of the coupling members against each other, the lower of said coupling members being formed internally to provioe a seat for a ball valve at the upper end of said lower coupling member, said conduit including a tubular fitting lo cated above the level of said union and having a lateral branch, a ball valveadapted bar to restrain said striker member from sliding on the bar aga nst said valve supporting means.

24. A valve mechanism comprising a valve holder, a valve therein, and means adapted to act by impact against the holder to efiect by jarring an operating movement of said valve.

25-. In mee s ub tant al as is scribed, a valve seat, a valve, a support on which the valve loosely rests and from Which the valve may be jarred or displaced by the impact of a blow against the sup port, and means for delivering the blow to displace the valve from said support.

CHAR-LES TYLER BAR-D. 

